Berkeley Tree Sitters Letter

Let me begin by stating that I like trees. Some of my best friends are trees and I generally support the peaceful coexistence of humans and trees. Similarly, I worry about carbon dioxide emissions and their impact on global climate. I also work on the UC Berkeley campus, and I often walk or ride along Piedmont Ave. on my way to or from work.

Thus, I encounter your encampment on a near-daily basis. I see your slogans chalked on the sidewalks. I see your Tibetan prayer flags. I pass through clouds of your collective body odor and exhaled marijuana smoke. Having observed your actions for quite some time now, sometimes I wonder if you’ve ever considered just how much damage you’re doing to legitimate pro-environment, pro-leftist movements everywhere.

Let us examine a few key points that may help you understand why your effort to save the oak grove manages to be futile, ridiculous, ignorant, destructive, and offensive all at the same time:

(1) Consider what you are fighting for.
How many trees does UC intend to destroy for its construction project? (Answer: 38). Is the coast live oak an endangered or threatened species? (Answer: No). Will the removal of these individual trees have any significant impact on the health of the overall population of the species? (Answer: No). Consider how many collective man-hours your campaign has devoted to saving these trees. Has it occurred to you that your time may be better spent focusing on (for example) the huge swaths of the Amazon that are cut down by loggers and developers every day? Are you choosing to protect 38 trees because you really think it is a significant, meaningful cause? I hope not–because that would be ignorant. It seems much more likely that you choose this battle because it is relatively convenient and riskless. Honestly–why don’t you sac up and take on a *real* environmental offender?

(2) Consider your conduct.
Do you intend to win the hearts and minds of the people with catch-phrases like “Guantanamo Berkeley” chalked on the sidewalks? Do you really think you have anything in common with the prisoners currently incarcerated at Guantanamo Bay? Perhaps in a momentary flash of sobriety, one of you will realize just how offensive it is to draw a comparison between your fenced-in encampment and an actual prison.

(3) Consider the backlash of your actions.
You are the source and embodiment of all negative stereotypes that conservatives hold against liberals. If you’re going to stage a protest, are you capable of doing it in a dignified, respectable manner? Hint: smoking drugs in the trees does not exude dignity. Also, consider periodic showers. Rather than winning popular support from pedestrians who encounter your encampment, you are actually contributing to their mistrust and ire toward environmentalists. Perhaps you are Republicans dressed up as hippies deliberately trying to damage public opinion of the left?

(4) Consider your hypocrisy.
Is that your 60’s-era VW minibus parked next to the “Stop driving” message chalked on the sidewalk? Do you know what the gas-mileage on that thing is? (Answer: ~14-18 mpg) Have you considered investing in a catalytic converter? Perhaps you are also the same people who spray-paint “driving” on all the stop signs in Berkeley. Do you think your graffiti will trigger a massive, group epiphany in passing motorists and cause them to suddenly abandon the automobile as a mode of transportation? In reality, your graffiti (and your very presence) only detracts from the natural beauty of this campus and the surrounding town.

In summary, do not think for a moment that you exist under a shield of popular support. You are wasting your time on a futile, meaningless cause. If you’re going continue living outdoors and imparting your naÃ¯ve views on pedestrians, I suggest that you move your operation to People’s Park (or perhaps the sidewalk of Shattuck Ave) where you can peacefully co-exist with the rest of Berkeley’s hobos.

Go home. We’re sick of you guys.

53 Responses to “Berkeley Tree Sitters Letter”

Nice blog mate, hope you’re getting ready for the coming crash! The hammer is going to drop soon. The economy is going to sink before August 2013 (this is when the Federal Reserve’s 100 Year Charter expires). Spread the word and stay safe. Peace.

Thanks for the a new challenge you have exposed in your writing. One thing I would really like to discuss is that FSBO relationships are built with time. By releasing yourself to the owners the first weekend their FSBO can be announced, ahead of masses begin calling on Thursday, you build a good link. By mailing them instruments, educational materials, free accounts, and forms, you become a strong ally. By subtracting a personal curiosity about them and also their scenario, you create a solid relationship that, in many cases, pays off in the event the owners opt with a realtor they know and also trust — preferably you actually.

Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and everything. However just imagine if you added some great visuals or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and videos, this site could definitely be one of the very best in its niche. Amazing blog!

An unputdownable discussion may be valued at annotate. I consider that you need to correspond much about this content, it most likely are not a preconception subordinate but generally fill are certainly not sufficiency to speak about specified subjects. To the particular succeeding. Cheers like your Khmer Karaoke Celebrities .

Excellent site you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics talked about in this article? I’d really love to be a part of community where I can get responses from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Cheers!

Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say wonderful blog!

Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You definitely know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?

We very much appreciate your practical announcements. We often use these people as devotionals in groups that individuals work with. It is fun to look through handy way to finally inform you of this. Petrina Loeber

Good day! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was wondering what all is needed to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very internet smart so I’m not 100% sure. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Appreciate it

Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea

Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa? My blog goes over a lot of the same subjects as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other. If you might be interested feel free to shoot me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Awesome blog by the way!

Between me and my husband we’ve owned more MP3 players over the years than I can count, including Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I’ve settled down to one line of players. Why? Because I was happy to discover how well-designed and fun to use the underappreciated (and widely mocked) Zunes are.

you’re truly a good webmaster. The website loading pace is incredible. It kind of feels that you are doing any unique trick. In addition, The contents are masterwork. you have performed a great process on this matter!

I really like your blog.. very nice colors and theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. thanks a lot

I was suggested this website by means of my cousin. I’m no longer positive whether this put up is written by way of him as no one else recognize such distinct about my difficulty. You’re wonderful! Thanks!

An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you need to publish more on this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but usually people do not speak about these subjects. To the next! Kind regards!!

Thank you, I have just been searching for info approximately this topic for a while and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far. But, what about the conclusion? Are you positive in regards to the supply?